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June
20, 2006
The students of the Deena Janodharana Pathakam, the institution for
orphans and destitute mothers set up by Bhagawan, celebrated the fourth
anniversary of the Pathakam this evening. They were ready to present a
skit, and a backdrop depicting the occasion had been arranged in the Sai
Kulwant Hall. The students in their costumes and makeup were seated in
the Bhajan Hall. Swami came for darshan at 3.30 pm, and directly came to
the Bhajan Hall to see them. Swami asked about some of the characters
like Kumbhakarna spending a few light moments with them, and then
instructed them to go and start the programme.
Bhagawan sat onstage, and in a few minutes, the programme commenced with
the Vedam chanting by tiny tots from the DJP. The young boys went on for
nearly five minutes before Swami asked them to stop. Then came a speech
in English by a student of the DJP. In his speech, he described the love
and care of Sai, and how they had progressed so that some of them after
finishing intermediate courses had joined for B.Sc. in Information
Technology.
After the speech came the skit - interwoven with songs and dances,
Bhagawan's message, that technology and all resources must be used for
social welfare, was conveyed. The sets included a giant TV set and a
homa kunda, both of which were innovatively and realistically rendered.
Bhagawan was very happy with the programme and asked for mangoes to be
distributed to all. After the Prasadam distribution and Arati, Swami
came into the interview room, and a few minutes later to the Bhajan
Hall. Before sitting on the throne, Swami once again complimented the
DJP students' performance, and then asked for bhajans to commence. After
Bhajans and Arati once again, Bhagawan retired for the day.
June 18, 2006
Today Bhagawan had decided to honour four senior professors from the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning; namely, Prof. U. S. Rao
(Principal of SSSIHL, Prashanti Nilayam and Dean of the Management
School SBMAF), Prof. M. Nanjundiah (Controller of examinations, SSSIHL),
Prof. V. E. Ramamoorthy (known as the Father of Working capital
management in India and a senior Professor at the SBMAF) and Prof.
Vishwanath Pandit(H.O.D of Economics, SSSIHL).
The stage area had been tastefully decorated. The entire hall too wore a
festive look. Swami arrived at 8:00am and the Vedic chants began along
with the tunes of the boys' naadaswaram. Swami cut away towards the
stage after the ladies side. He was beaming with joy as He came walking
and took His chair at the centre of the stage. The four professors along
with their wives were escorted to the stage and they too sat beside
Swami on chairs that had been arranged. It must be mentioned here that
Swami went to great extents to plan out the event. All the activities
that went on after Swami arrived were done as per His detailed
instructions.
As soon as the professors and their wives took their seats, students who
had been selected by Bhagawan showered rose petals on their feet and
saluted them. They were then garlanded and, as per His command, given
juice in silver tumblers. Once everyone had settled, the Vice-Chancellor
addressed the gathering. He said that the teachers being felicitated
today had set high standards not only in their teaching but also in
their character and love for Swami. He prayed that the Institute be
blessed with more such teachers. After his talk, Swami indicated that
the band should play.
There were 5 scintillating pieces by the band, two of which were popular
bhajans to whose tunes the entire audience began clapping! After that,
Swami told the bhajan boys to begin songs. As the song, "Yenta Hai Yenta
Hai "began, Swami appeared touched. The next song was on the glory of
His Avatarhood and His relation with His devotees. Aptly, Swami rose
during that song and asked for the kankanams. First of all, Swami
profusely blessed Professor U.S.Rao. He presented the Kankanam and told
Mrs.Rao to put it on his right hand. Then He presented him a shawl and a
red silk cloth. He draped it over his body with His divine hands and
lovingly blessed the couple, handing them first an envelope and then
silver tumblers. Both of them bent down to take Padanamaskar as Swami
blessed them.
Swami then did the same to each of the other three professors too. As
Swami was walking towards them, they made attempts to come near Him as
to make it easier for Him. But Swami told them to stay where they were
and said, "I will come to where you are..." The scene was so wonderful
and the love and pride in His eyes were there for all to see. Swami
spent nearly 3 minutes with each of the professors.
As Swami went back to take His seat, the VC introduced each of the
professors and listed out their credentials and achievements. Then he
invited them, one by one, to address the gathering. As they shared their
sentiments, the meaning of the saying, "The tree with ripe fruits bends
low" became clear to all of us. They gave the entire credit to Swami and
Swami alone and said that they did not deserve any honour. Their
humility was indeed very touching.
They said that it was the fulfilment of their lives to teach in the
Lord's University and that they had learnt more from Him than they ever
taught. They exhorted all the students to realise His love for them as
He had often told the teachers, "You take care of My children and I will
take care of you and your children." After them, Dr. Deepak Anand from
the SBMAF shared a few of his experiences with the great professors.
Everyone gave a round of rousing applause for each of the professors as
a mark of gratitude and respect. Finally though reluctant, at VC's
request, Swami rose to speak. Everyone clapped in joy. Swami's discourse
lasted only 7 minutes. He said,
"Embodiments of love,... The students here have obtained good degrees
only due to the love of the professors. Swami expects only one thing
from all of you - to get a good name in the society and be an ideal.
Even Prahalada had said 'All that I know have been taught to me by my
teachers.' Secular education is needed for worldly existence but without
love all knowledge is useless. Students! Character is the foremost. End
of education is character. Correct yourself, and then alone can you
correct and teach others. All the wonderful things that the professors
have told you, live up to them."
Swami then sat down and all of us were requested to rise for the
National Anthem. As always, it was a thrilling experience to sing Jana
Gana Mana in front of the Bharatha Bhagya Vidhata. After that Bhajans
began and Prasadam too was distributed. After a few Bhajans, Swami
received Aarthi and retired to His Yajur Mandiram residence. All the
students and staff had a sumptuous lunch in the South Indian canteen
that had been so lovingly arranged by Swami.
It was a pleasant surprise in the afternoon as for the first time this
academic year; Swami came around in the car even to the gents' side in
the evening session. The window was open and all of us had the bliss of
His Darshan. He got down, came and sat out. Swami immediately called and
blessed the birthday boys. Then He called a school student from the
fifth line and enquired about his mother's health. Reassuring him, He
materialized a chain with a pendant and gave it to him to be handed over
to his mother. As the Veda chanting went on with renewed fervour, the
whole of the student community was bursting at its seams with letters to
give Him. Smilingly, Swami called for all the boys who had letters and
accepted them, giving Padanamaskar to many fortunate ones. Swami went
into the Interview Room after half an hour.
But the bounty was to continue. Swami came out through the upper portico
on his chair and turned towards the students sitting in the second
block. He went around collecting letters and speaking with the students
and teachers. Much to their delight, He called out to some boys saying
"Ay! It's your birthday today." He also granted close Darshan to the
Ananthapur sisters before going into the Bhajan Hall for Bhajans. At
about 5:45 pm, He received Aarthi and retired to Yajur Mandiram.
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Source: radiosai.org |